Why prioritise cumulative carbohydrate exposure, mainly moderately processed and refined carbohydrates, as a metabolic health risk?

Because repeated high-glycaemic exposures drive compensatory hyperinsulinaemia, rising triglycerides, and progressive insulin resistance. Refinement increases glycaemic volatility even when calorie content is similar, and regular intakes create a daily metabolic burden by increasing the frequency of blood-glucose spikes.

People consuming diets high in sugars, processed carbohydrates (such as white rice, supermarket bread and pasta), and ultra-processed foods are at increased risk of developing overlapping features of metabolic syndrome alongside a range of brain-related conditions. Some people may have a dopaminergic reaction following high intakes of healthy fruit. An appreciation of the carbohydrate–insulin pathway helps explain why carbohydrate quality, quantity, and timing are critical not only for glycaemic control, but also for lipid regulation, adiposity, and overall metabolic health.

Why prioritise cumulative carbohydrate exposure, mainly moderately processed and refined carbohydrates, as a metabolic health risk?

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